Welcome to the E46Fanatics forums. E46Fanatics is the premiere website for BMW 3 series owners around the world with interactive forums, a geographical enthusiast directory, photo galleries, and technical information for BMW enthusiasts.

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact contact us.

Ok my wife is driving a 1995 Nissan altima gxe that her parents gave her and I realy want to surprise her with a much better car. The problem is that I only got 10k to put as a down payment or pay it in full. Has to be reliable for her and my son and to last for years.
Thanks

I think she would like the maxima waay more idk but for some reason she hates Hondas lol
But Im also considering of trying to get her a BMW you know to keep the whole family rolling EDM but they are expensive for the dollars that I have.

What i tell everyone who drives a car only because it gets them from point A to point B, get a Toyota, Mazda or a Honda. Buy it used, with less than 30k miles on it. Still has warranty, usually comes with new tread if purchased from a dealer. Saves $5k off new and will go well over another 100,000 miles before it rusts out or breaks down.

As much as I love the E46 I wouldn't buy another one and certainly suggest you don't. After two and a half years, I've spent about $4,000 on regular maintenance and the necessary prevantative maintenance. That's following thousands of dollars from the previous owner. Of course any car will need maintenance but a german car will require more, generally speaking, than their Japanese counterparts.

I'd stick to Nissan or Subaru. Generally known for their reliability and could still be considered relatively fun cars to drive. Buy Honda or Toyota if all you want are yawns. Best of luck whatever you decide.